Florida St attempts to maintain historic offense

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) Jimbo Fisher isn't looking for the record-setting numbers his Florida State offense put up en route to winning the final BCS national championship.

The coach doesn't believe the Seminoles need that.

''I don't talk yards or anything like that or points,'' Fisher said. ''It's about the efficiency of our offense and how it fits our defense. I think we can be very efficient. We just have to continue to execute whether we throw it, we run it or we keep the versatility of what passes and things we throw.

''We'll feature the talents of the players we have.''

The Seminoles offense lost two receivers, two running backs and a center to the NFL, including first-round receiver Kelvin Benjamin, fourth round running back Devonta Freeman and fourth round center Bryan Stork.

Expectations remain high, however, for a group that returns Heisman-winning quarterback Jameis Winston, one of the most prolific receivers in FSU history (Rashad Greene) and an offensive line with four senior starters. Also returning is running back Karlos Williams, who averaged eight yards per carry in 2013.

The Seminoles set an FBS record with 723 points scored in 2013 and their 7,267 offensive yards were an Atlantic Coast Conference record. And Fisher doesn't run a hurry-up-every-play offense that has trended throughout college football.

''The next step is just keep that thing going, keep putting points up, keep executing day in and day out,'' Williams said.

Florida State may lean on the run game more early in the season with a veteran offensive line and Williams running the ball while the receiver position gets sorted out. But there's still the reigning Heisman winner under center and All-ACC tight end Nick O'Leary will have a larger role.

''We may feature different plays, different players in different ways,'' Fisher said. ''Or may ask them to do the same things if they do them as well as we did last year. We just have to figure out what they do well and feature those and keep a great balance with physicality of running it and still being able to throw it.''

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Here are five things to watch for when the Seminoles open the season Aug. 30:

RUNNING MAN: The Seminoles lost 1,600 rushing yards and 56 percent of the ground game from the title team to the NFL. Enter Karlos Williams. The preseason all-ACC selection ran for 748 yards and 11 touchdowns after switching from safety last season. The senior needs to prove he can carry the load from the opening whistle with only youngsters joining him in the backfield.

NO FLY ZONE: FSU boasted the top pass defense in the nation in 2014 and had a school record 26 interceptions. The secondary remains the deepest position on the team. P.J. Williams and Jalen Ramsey are stars. Ronald Darby is one of the top cover cornerbacks in the country and Nate Andrews led the team with four interceptions in 2013. Safety Tyler Hunter is back from a neck injury.

HELP THE HEISMAN: Receiver Rashad Greene returns ranked in the top seven in FSU history in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. There is no significant experience at the position outside of Greene. Jameis Winston needs someone to emerge from sophomores Bobo Wilson and Kermit Whitfield, seniors Jarred Haggins and Christian Green and five-star freshmen Travis Rudolph and Ermon Lane.

JUNIOR JACKED: Defensive lineman Mario Edwards, Jr. is ready to join the ranks of the truly dominant Florida State lineman. The former No. 1 recruit in the nation reshaped his body and diet, increased his speed, is squatting 600 pounds and benching 450 pounds. The goal is double-digits sacks and consistent domination.

TRENCH DIGGING: The Seminoles return five seniors, including four starters to the offensive line. The group has a combined 112 starts between left tackle Cam Erving, right tackle Bobby Hart, center Austin Barron, left guard Josue Matias and right guard Tre Jackson. This unit should set the tone for an offense that lost several starting skill players.

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